Act 12:7 | NETfull | STEP | Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

Acts 12:7

7 Suddenly ^{▼▼ Grk “And behold.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. The interjection ἰδού (idou), often difficult to translate into English, expresses the suddenness of the angel’s appearance.} an angel of the Lord ^{▼▼ Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 5:19.} appeared, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck ^{▼▼ Grk “striking the side of Peter, he awoke him saying.” The term refers to a push or a light tap (BDAG 786 s.v. πατάσσω 1.a). The participle πατάξας (pataxas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.} Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly!” And the chains fell off Peter’s ^{▼▼ Grk “his”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} wrists. ^{▼▼ Grk “the hands,” but the wrist was considered a part of the hand.}